Politis

TURKISH OFFICIAL REITERATES 'SOVEREIGN EQUALITY' POSITION IN CYPRIOT TALKS

Published January 16, 2026, 13:25
TURKISH OFFICIAL REITERATES 'SOVEREIGN EQUALITY' POSITION IN CYPRIOT TALKS

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz met with Turkish Cypriot leader Erhurman in the occupied territories. During the meeting, Yilmaz reiterated Turkey's position on 'sovereign equality' between the two communities, while Erhurman emphasized that participation in negotiations does not imply relinquishing political equality. The meeting focused on the Cyprus issue and the relationship between Turkey and the pseudo-state. Erhurman stated that Turkish Cypriots have equal sovereign rights as one of the two founding partners and that they will not tolerate any violation of these rights. He also expressed dissatisfaction with approaches related to the Cypriot Presidency of the EU, describing them as "unacceptable." He stressed that being at the negotiating table does not mean abandoning rights and political equality. Yilmaz, for his part, argued that Turkey will continue to support the economic development of the occupied territories and that the right to sovereignty of Turkish Cypriots is non-negotiable. He claimed that there are "two separate states and two peoples" on the island and that the Greek Cypriot side does not demonstrate a willingness to find a solution. Yilmaz also rejected the positions of the Greek Cypriot side regarding the presence of the Turkish army in the occupied territories, arguing that the army brings stability and security to the island. He expressed Turkey's satisfaction with the upgrading of the pseudo-state within the Organization of Turkic States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.